Key result
Professional soccer players aged 30-39 years had significantly lower VO2max (56.6 vs 59.6 ml/kg/min) and reduced vagal activity compared to those aged 17-19.9 years.
Why the study?
How do somatic characteristics, endurance performance, and heart rate variability profiles differ across age groups in professional soccer players?
Cross-Sectional (n=124)
How do somatic characteristics, endurance performance, and heart rate variability profiles differ across age groups in professional soccer players?
Professional soccer players exhibit a shift towards sympathetic dominance and reduced vagal activity after approximately 8 years of professional competition, alongside a decline in maximal oxygen uptake in the oldest age group.
Age-related VO2max and vagal declines may warrant monitoring in veteran players; leaves open longitudinal effects and mitigation strategies.
This cross-sectional study compared somatic, endurance performance determinants and heart rate variability (HRV) profiles of professional soccer players divided into different age groups: GI (17–19.9 years; n = 23), GII (20–24.9 years; n = 45), GIII (25–29.9 years; n = 30), and GIV (30–39 years; n = 26). Players underwent somatic and HRV assessment and maximal exercise testing. HRV was analyzed by spectral analysis of HRV, and high (HF) and low (LF) frequency power was transformed by a natural logarithm (Ln). Players in GIV (83 ± 7 kg) were heavier (p < 0.05) compared to both GI (73 ± 6 kg), and GII (78 ± 6 kg). Significantly lower maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, ml•kg -1 •min -1 ) was observed for GIV (56.6 ± 3.8) compared to GI (59.6 ± 3.9), GII (59.4 ± 4.2) and GIV (59.7 ± 4.1). All agegroups, except for GII, demonstrated comparable relative maximal power output (Pmax). For supine HRV, significantly lower Ln HF (ms2) was identified in both GIII (7.1 ± 0.8) and GIV (6.9 ± 1.0) compared to GI (7.9 ± 0.6) and GII (7.7 ± 0.9). In conclusion, soccer players aged >25 years showed negligible differences in Pmax unlike the age group differences demonstrated in VO2max. A shift towards relative sympathetic dominance, particularly due to reduced vagal activity, was apparent after approximately 8 years of competing at the professional level.
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Botek et al. (2016) conducted a cross-sectional in Professional soccer players (n=124). Older age (30-39 years) vs. Younger age (17-19.9 years) was evaluated on Somatic, endurance performance, and heart rate variability profiles. Professional soccer players aged 30-39 years had significantly lower VO2max (56.6 vs 59.6 ml/kg/min) and reduced vagal activity compared to those aged 17-19.9 years.
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